Vertical Fore Grip with Bipod

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems and methods of using an ergonomic fore grip/gun handle with a concealable and collapsible bipod. One version can have a tubular recess consisting of a first cylindrical cutout housing the bipod legs when concealed and a sliding piston that deploys the legs and a second cylindrical cutout housing a release mechanism and a void space for other accessories. The release mechanism has a compression spring positioned between the piston assembly and the bottom of the first cylindrical cutout and the compression spring. The legs are connected to the bottom of the piston assembly via a hinge and spring that when released from confinement within the fore grip, causes the legs to expand outward until fully deployed. Telescoping legs allow adjustment of leg length for use on uneven terrain. The grip portion has an outer surface with a flat surface on sides of the grip to provide a more stable grip, assist in orienting the mounted weapon and support pressure pads for lights.

This invention is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/725,082 filed Dec. 2, 2003, now allowed, and U.S. Design patentapplication Ser. No. 29/259,347 filed May 5, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to guns and more particularly to devices,systems and methods of using a fore grip/gun handle that combines apistol grip and a bipod, where the bipod can be concealable andcollapsible inside the pistol grip/gun handle.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

There has been considerable prior art for bipods, and the prior artdates back to pre-20^(th) century times, with bipods having a familiarappearance, structure and configuration.

The known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 271,251; 1,295,688;1,355,660; 1,382,409; 1,580,406; 2,386,802; 2,420,267; 2,436,349, and3,235,997. These patents disclose the respective art in relation tobipods, but do not disclose a fore grip or gun handle with a concealableand collapsible bipod.

The invention includes a replaceable mounting assembly that allows formounting of the gun handle by various means to a gun. A fore grip or gunhandle, designed with ergonomic reasons in mind, provides a stable meansof holding the gun. A plurality of legs that are concealed within thefore grip are coupled via a hinge to a spring piston assembly. Aspring-loaded fulcrum release mechanism holds the piston assembly in acompressed and locked position. When the piston assembly is releasedupon activation of the spring-loaded fulcrum release mechanism, the legsare driven downwards by the piston and upon being released from theconfinement of the fore grip are deployed outwards to a locked positionby a hinge or pivot mechanism. The legs have feet that are designed sothat, when the legs are concealed within the handle, the feet seal offthe deployment and spreader mechanisms from entrance of any debris,material etc that may interfere with the deployment of the bipod.

A recent U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,807 describes a tripod gun handle thatprovides a combination pistol grip and pivotal tripod. Close examinationof this patent reveals a number of problems with this device, and themost obvious problem is that the tripod legs are positioned on theexterior of the handle when not deployed. If the gun with this deviceattached was being used in wet or muddy environments, either in adeployed or storage position, the ingress of mud and dirt into andaround the handle could result in the deployment and storage of thetripod legs being severely restricted due to the mud or foreign matter.Another problem is that deployment requires the rotation of adisengagement cam to force the legs into their deployed position andthen a leg locking assembly is rotated to lock the legs into a lockedposition. Two separate actions are required to deploy and lock thetripod legs into a locked position.

The fore grip with concealable and collapsible bipod, according to theinvention is considerably different from the concepts and designs of theprior art, and provides an entirely new device that provides acombination of a fore grip or gun handle with a concealable andcollapsible bipod that opens into an exposed bipod that locks open uponrelease from the concealment position within the fore grip or gunhandle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the subject invention is to provide a foregrip/gun handle that combines a pistol grip and a bipod, where the bipodcan be concealable and collapsible inside the pistol grip/gun handle.

A secondary objective of the subject invention is to provide a new foregrip or gun handle with a concealable and collapsible bipod having amounting system for attaching to or coupling to a firearm.

A third objective of the subject invention is provide a new fore grip orgun handle with a concealable and collapsible bipod having a removablegun handle that helps to stabilize the gun when firing occurs.

The disclosed invention, which shall be subsequently described ingreater detail, provides a new fore grip or gun handle with aconcealable and collapsible bipod that has many advantages of the bipodsmentioned previously and has many new and novel features, which resultin a new fore grip or gun handle with a concealable and collapsiblebipod that has not been suggested, anticipated or even rendered obviousby any of the prior art bipods or the aforementioned tripod gun handle.

The present invention comprises a mounting assembly that may beself-contained or may feature adaptable mounting heads to interface withWeaver or Picatinny Rail mounts or a simple bolt attachment to afirearm. A fore grip is coupled to the mounting assembly, or may beintegrated with the mounting assembly, and the fore grip is to begripped by the hand of a user when the mounting assembly is attached orcoupled to a firearm. The fore grip is used for stabilizing the firearmduring firing when the user grips the fore grip. A tubular recessconsisting of two cylindrical cutouts is positioned within the fore gripor gun handle, and these cutouts serve as the housing for the bipod legswhen concealed and as the housing for a sliding piston assembly thatdeploys the bipod legs.

A plurality of legs can be concealed within the fore grip or gun handleand is coupled to a sliding piston assembly that is also concealedwithin the handle. A catch system that protrudes from the sliding pistonassembly is attached to the sliding piston assembly and interfaces witha spring-loaded fulcrum release mechanism positioned at the top of thehandle. A cutout within the top of the handle provides a housing for therelease mechanism.

A compression spring can be positioned between the sliding pistonassembly and the bottom of the first cylindrical cutout and this spring,when under expansion, drives the sliding piston assembly downward towardthe bottom of the fore grip. At the bottom of the fore grip, a recessedlocking ring or plug is secured by threads into the fore grip, and ispositioned to prevent the sliding piston assembly from over-travel andthus exiting the fore grip. The legs are connected to the bottom of thepiston via a hinge or pivot point, and when the legs are released fromconfinement within the fore grip, the legs expand outwards until fullydeployed.

Another preferred version of the invention includes an ergonomic foregrip for mounting to a firearm to stabilize the firearm, that has a topend and a bottom end with an opening there through, a mount forattaching the top end of the fore grip to a firearm, a pair of legshaving an upper hinged end and a bottom end, a catch member that holdingthe legs in a closed position substantially inside the fore grip, aswitch for releasing the catch member and allowing the bottom end toslide out from the opening in the fore grip, and an expansion springpositioned between the legs for causing the legs to pivot outwardrelative to the hinged end so that the legs expand outward in atriangular configuration.

The fore grip can include a generally cylindrical handle with a stackedconfiguration of grooves and elongated vertical flat surface edges onopposite sides of the handle.

The switch can be a flush mounted button with a serrated face. Theswitch can be a recess mounted button with a serrated face.

The switch can be a depressible button having a catch portion thatinterlocks with a catch member adjacent to the hinged end of the legs,wherein depressing the button causes the catch portion to release thecatch member allowing the legs to drop out from underneath the foregrip. Behind the switch can be a spring for pushing an outer face of thebutton to expand outward from a side of the fore grip.

The expansion spring in the fore grip can include a torsion springhaving each end abutting against an upper inner surface of each leg.

The fore grip can include a generally cylindrical handle for housing thepair of legs with the hinged end, the catch member, the switch and theexpansion spring, a screwable cap for covering a bottom opening on thehandle having an opening smaller in diameter than the opening in thehandle, wherein the cap permits and limits the sliding of the legs fromunderneath the handle when the legs are deployed.

The handle can include a void space or female orifice to hold anaccessory switch such as but not limited to a depressible switch, foractivating an accessory unit, such as but not limited to a light. A capcover can cover the void space or female orifice. A tension fit pin canhold the cap cover in place.

Each of the legs can include telescoping legs to allow adjustment of theleg lengths for uneven terrain. Each of the legs can include integralmolded angled feet formed with a hollow backside and metal reinforcementmember.

The mount on the fore grip can include members for clamping the foregrip to a weapon, and a screwable member for fastening the rail membersabout a portion of the weapon.

The fore grip can also include a second spring for causing the legs todrop below the fore grip.

The legs can also drop from fore grip by gravity. Alternatively,inertial actuation(jerking or flipping the fore grip) can result in thelegs being deployed downward and then expanded out by an expansionspring.

A novel method of actuating a leg stand from the fore grip on a weaponcan include the steps of attaching a generally cylindrical fore griphandle with irregular side surfaces as a fore grip to a weapon,depressing a button located on an upper side surface of the handle,releasing a catch member that supports a pair of hinged legs by thedepressing of the button, dropping foot ends of the legs from underneaththe handle, and expanding the pair of legs outward relative to thehinged end as the legs leave the handle to a deployed position.

The step of dropping can be by the expanding of a spring against anupper portion adjacent of the hinged ends of the legs in downwarddirection.

The step of dropping can be by releasing the legs downward gravity.Alternatively, inertial actuation(flipping and jerking motions) canresult in the legs dropping out from the fore grip. Also, physicallypulling the legs downward after the side switch is activated can bedone.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment,which is illustrated in the accompanying flow charts and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustrationonly, and not limitation:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the invention showingthe fore grip with the legs in the stored position.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the invention showingthe fore grip with the legs in the deployed position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inventionshowing the fore grip with the legs in a stored position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inventionshowing the fore grip with the legs in a deployed position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the foregrip with legs up.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the fore grip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear planar view of the fore grip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the fore grip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a front planar view of the fore grip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the fore grip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the fore grip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the fore grip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 14 shows the fore grip of FIG. 6 attached to a rail of weapon withlegs up.

FIG. 15 shows the fore grip attached to a rail of weapon with legs down.

FIG. 16A is a cross sectional view of FIG. 15 with the fore grip apartfrom the weapon.

FIG. 16B is another cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 with fore gripattached to weapon.

FIG. 17 is an upper left front perspective view of fore grip of FIG. 6with legs down.

FIG. 18 is an upper left rear perspective view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a rear planar view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a left side view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a front planar view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is a right side view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 23 is a top view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective exploded view of the fore grip of FIGS.6-24.

FIG. 26 is a front perspective exploded view of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an interior detail view of the leg of fore grip withstiffening bar mold insert.

FIG. 28 is a partial cross-section view of the preceding fore grip withlegs up.

FIG. 29A is a partial cross-section view of an upper portion of the foregrip closed.

FIG. 29B is another view of the upper portion of FIG. 29A with buttonbeing depressed.

FIG. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view of the leg/yoke assembly andlegs of the preceding fore grip being released and traveling downward.

FIG. 31 is another partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 30 with leg/yokeassembly and legs fully deployed.

FIG. 32A is a side cross-sectional view of the preceding fore grip in aretracted stage.

FIG. 32B is another cross-sectional view of the fore grip in an extendedstage.

FIG. 32C is another cross-sectional view of the fore grip in an deployedstage.

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective enlarged upper view of the preceding foregrip showing accessory mounting bay plug.

FIG. 34 is another view of the upper portion of the fore grip of FIG. 33showing the mounting bay plug and friction pin removed.

FIG. 35 is another view of FIG. 33 of an accessory switch and frictionpin to install.

FIG. 36 is another view of FIG. 35 showing accessory switch and frictionpin installed.

FIG. 37 is an upper perspective partial cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of the fore grip with legs up and no yoke spring.

FIG. 38 is another view of FIG. 37 of leg/yoke assembly/legs releasedand traveling down using gravity only (no spring).

FIG. 39 is another view of FIG. 37 showing leg/yoke assembly and legsfully deployed.

FIG. 40 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the fore grip withextendable legs.

FIG. 41 is a rear view of the preceding deployed fore grip withdimensions.

FIG. 42 is a left side view of the deployed fore grip of FIG. 41 withdimensions.

FIG. 43 is a rear view of the preceding retracted fore grip withdimensions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the particular arrangement shown since theinvention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology usedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

It would be useful to discuss the meanings of some words used herein andtheir applications before discussing the fore grip device of the presentinvention and method of using the same.

As illustrated FIGS. 1 through to 5, the fore grip 1 with concealableand collapsible bipod consists of four distinct and separate assemblies,and these are the fore grip, the piston assembly, the legs, and therelease mechanism.

The fore grip consists of a fore grip with a mounting section or end 3that is designed for attachment to a gun. The fore grip may consist of amachining or a casting that utilizes aluminum or a molding that utilizeshigh impact resistant polymer or a composite material. The fore gripsection 2 has a mounting end 4 that allows for coupling or attachment toa firearm. The fore grip is a grip designed for gripping by the hand ofa user when the fore grip 1 is attached to a fire arm. Although FIGS. 1through 5 show the mounting end 3 being an integral part of the handlefor illustration purposes only, it should be understood that themounting end 3 may be a separate component that is then attached byknown means, such as threads or a lock screw or locking bolt to thehandle 1. For illustrative purposes, the mounting end 3 is shown with acut out profile 4 that enables mounting of the handle 1 to a firearm viathe use of a Picatinny mounting rail (MIL-STD-1913 rail), a mountingsystem widely used by military for attachment of various devices tomilitary rifles. However, it should be understood that other means ofattachment to a firearm could be used.

The fore grip 2 has a plurality of annular grooves 5 around thecircumference of the fore grip section 2 and these grooves 5 aredesigned to aid in improving the gripping of the fore grip section 2.These grooves 5 are positioned on approximately two-thirds of the foregrip section 2 and if fore grip 1 is fabricated from aluminum, thesegrooves 5 may assist in reducing the weight of the gun handle. Althoughseven annular grooves are shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, this is forillustrative purposes only, and the number of grooves may vary.

The base or bottom 6 of the fore grip section 2 has a recessed lockingring 7 or stop ring that is shown secured to the fore grip section 2 bythreads though it should be understood that other means of securing,such as a press fit or a chemical locking compound, may be used in placeof threads. The recessed locking ring 7 fits into a recess or cutout 8at the base of the handle section 2 and a further recess or cutout 9 isprovided for the feet 13 of the bipod legs 12 when in the storedposition. The recessed locking ring 7 has a cylindrical hole 10 that hastwo functions. Hole 10 allows for the passage of the bipod legs into thebody of the handle section 2 when the bipod legs are stored in thehandle section 2 and also allows for the passage of the piston 17 whenthe bipod legs are deployed. The recessed locking ring 7 also has atapered or counter-sunk recess 11 that enables the feet 13 of the bipodto fit inside the handle 2 when the bipod legs 12 are in the storedposition. An o-ring (not shown) is used in conjunction with the recessedlocking ring 7 to dampen the sound of the piston when it comes intocontact with the recessed locking ring. A series of cut outs (not shown)are machined into the end of the recessed locking ring 7 to enable awrench being used to tighten up the locking ring upon assembly of thepiston and legs into the fore grip.

An encapsulated ring is an alternate technique for securing the legswithin the first cylindrical cutout for housing and permits and limitsthe sliding of the piston assembly when the legs are deployed.

The fore grip has a internal tubular recess 14 consisting of twocylindrical recesses 15 and 16 that are positioned within the fore gripor gun handle, and these recesses serve as the housing for the bipodlegs when concealed and as the housing for a sliding piston assemblythat deploys the bipod the bipod legs, and for the catch or male part 36of the spring-loaded fulcrum release mechanism 35. Cylindrical recess 15is used for the housing for the sliding piston assembly and the bipodlegs while cylindrical hole 16 is used for the passageway of the catchor male part 36 of the spring-loaded fulcrum release mechanism 35.Cylindrical recess 15 also has two recesses or longitudinal grooves 28and 29 (only 28 is shown in FIG. 4) that are positioned 180 degreesapart from each other and extend upwards from the base or bottom 6 ofthe fore grip. The recesses 28 and 29 extend for the entire length ofthe cylindrical recess 15. It should be understood that for descriptiveand illustrative purposes two recesses or longitudinal grooves aredetailed and disclosed, but at least one recess or longitudinal groovesare detailed and disclosed, but at least one recess or longitudinalgroove may be used.

The piston assembly 17 consists of three sections, these being thepiston head 18, the piston shaft 19, and the spring 20. The piston head18 has two lugs 21 and 22 that protrude outwards from the piston headand these lugs are 180 degrees apart from each other. The hinge couplinglugs 23 and 24 protrude downwards from the piston head 18 and arepositioned 180 degrees apart from each other. Both hinge coupling lugs23 and 24 have a cylindrical hole 25 for a locking pin 26 that securesthe bipod legs to the hinge coupling lugs 23 and 24, thus forming ahinge point 27.

The two lugs 20 and 21 protruding outwards from the piston head 18interface with the two recesses or longitudinal grooves 28 and 29 thatare part of the tubular recess 14. The lugs 20 and 21 fit within the tworecesses 28 and 29 and ensure that the piston 17 does not rotate aroundthe center axis of the tubular recess 14 when the bipod is deployed bythe piston being driven downwards upon expansion of the spring 20 andwhen the piston 17 is in the closed position and the bipod is notdeployed. It should be understood that for descriptive and illustrativepurposes two protruding lugs are detailed and shown for interfacing withtwo longitudinal recesses or grooves, but at least one lug may be usedto interface with at least one recess or longitudinal groove. It shouldalso be understood that other means of prevention of rotation of thepiston around the center axis of the tubular recess may also be used asis known, and this may include tubular recess 15 being provided with atleast one longitudinal protrusion that interfaces with at least onecorresponding recess on the piston head 18 thereby preventing rotationof the piston upon deployment of the legs and when the piston and legsare in the stored position.

The bipod legs 12 consist of two legs 12 a and 12 b with two feet 13that are shown attached to the legs by known means, such as screws butit should be understood that the feet may also be integral with thelegs. For illustration purposes, the legs are shown with a half-moon orhalf-round shape, with the flats facing each other, and it should beunderstood that other profiles or lengths, such as triangular, may beused. At the bottom of each leg 12 a and 12 b, a hole 12 c and 12 d ispositioned for securing or attaching of the feet 13, though said holesmay be eliminated if other means of securing or attaching are used.

The two feet 13 a and 13 b are of a half-moon or half round shape at thebase of the feet, and have an external tapered section that interfaceswith the recess 11 of the recessed locking ring 7. The two feet alsohave a recess 13 c and 13 d to allow the legs 12 to fit into, and atransverse whole 13 e and 13 f for, in this instance, a locking screw.Other means of securing or attaching to attach the feet to the legs maybe used, such as welding or dovetail cuts or pins. The thickness of thefeet may be varied to compensate for the difference in the height of thefore grip when attached to different guns. If the feet are integral withthe legs, known means such spacer elements may be attached to vary thelength of the legs to compensate for the difference in height of thefore grip when attached to different guns.

The hinge point 27 consists of a left and right hinge pivot (not shown)that is machined into the top of the legs 12 a and 12 b, and each pivotis 180 degrees apart. A coil spring (not shown) is positioned betweeneach of the legs 12 a and 12 b, and is secured by the locking pin 26. Onthe inside of the legs 12 a and 12 b, a small recess is machined to seatthe spring in each of the two legs.

At the top of the fore grip or mounting end 3, a spring-loaded fulcrumrelease mechanism 35 is positioned within a transverse recess 37.Transverse recess 37 is positioned so that it crosses cylindrical hole16. The spring-loaded fulcrum mechanism 35 consists of a fulcrum latchplate 38, a spring 39, a tension plate 40, and two screws 41 and 42 thatsecure and retain the tension plate to the fore grip. On one side of thefore grip at the mounting end, a rectangular recess with rounded ends 43is machined into the fore grip to match the shape of the tension plate.The fulcrum latch plate 38 consists of a rectangular plate with abeveled cut out that serves as the catch surface for the catch or malepart 36 of the spring-loaded fulcrum release mechanism. The male part 36of the spring-loaded fulcrum release mechanism is shown for illustrationpurposes to be a round-headed bolt, though other known forms may beused. The male part 36 is secured or fixed into the top of the pistonshaft 19 and it should be understood that for illustration purposes,male part 36 is shown being retained in the piston shaft 19 by threadsbut various other means of securing such as a press fit or welding maybe used.

To use the fore grip, a user simply attaches the fore grip to the gun,regardless of whether or not the bipod legs are deployed. If the legsare deployed, then the user has the option of using the gun with thelegs deployed or compressing or squeezing the legs together, and pushingthem upwards into the fore grip until the male part of the spring-loadedfulcrum release mechanism catches and locks the bipod legs and thepiston assembly into the closed position. One does not need to rotateany locking rings to either lock the legs in the closed position orrelease the legs from the closed position. It is simply a matter ofdepressing the tension plate to release the piston assembly and allowthe bipod legs to move downwards and deploy upon the piston reaching theend-of-travel position. The spring mechanism within the hinge pointensures that the legs are expanded outwards and are thus deployed.

Ergonomic Embodiments

A list of the components in FIGS. 6-42 will now be described

-   100. Fore grip embodiment-   105. accessory mounting bay plug-   107. side connection tabs on plug-   109. through-holes in side tabs-   110. Fore grip handle.-   115. Inside cavity walls-   116. ceiling surface-   118. Bottom open end of handle-   120. Leg(s).-   122. upper end of leg 120-   123. leg axle tab-   124. Upper inner surface of leg-   126. Bottom of leg-   128. Foot on leg.-   130. Retainer cap.-   132. Inner threads-   135. hole in cap-   140. Friction pin.-   145. Head piece-   146. Inside wall for spring 1130-   148. Cut-out in head piece-   150. Actuator slide button.-   150B. Grooved outer face end of button-   152. Inner end of button-   154. shaft of button-   155. elongated hole inside shaft-   156. raised side rails on shaft-   157. cut-out cavity underneath shaft-   160. Removable Rail clamp.-   162. Left raised ridge-   164. Right raised ridge-   168. Fixed Rail-   170. Rail clamp nut with knob head-   175. Rail clamp pin.-   180. Rail clamp bolt.-   190. Accessory mounting bay.-   195. through-holes in side walls of bay-   105. Accessory mounting bay plug.-   1110. cylindrical leg yoke.-   1112. Raised cylindrical walls of leg yoke-   1116. Parallel Extending Leg tabs-   1117. Axle Holes for leg pivot pin 1160-   1118. stiffening brace-   1120. Yoke compression spring.-   1122. Lower end of spring-   1128. Upper end of spring-   1130. Actuator compression spring.-   1140. Leg torsion spring.-   1142. First outer end of spring 1140-   1148. Second outer end of spring 1140-   150. Actuator slide pin.-   1160. Leg pivot pin.-   1170. Weapon.-   1180. Mounting rail.-   1190. Grip Pod assembly.-   1200. Stainless steel leg stiffening insert.-   1210. Plastic molded leg.-   1220. Actuator pawl (a feature of item 150).-   1230. Side protruding portion of 1234-   1234. Leg yoke pawl (a feature of item 1110).-   1240. Yoke guide slot (a feature of item 1110).-   1250. Yoke guide rail (a feature of item 110).-   1260. Actuator travel to release leg/yoke assembly.-   1270. Leg/yoke assembly travel after release.-   1280. Accessory switch.-   1290. Extendable leg.

Retracted Position

Initially, the novel fore grip 100 can be attached to a weapon with thelegs 120 in a retracted position inside handle 110. FIG. 6 is a frontperspective view of another ergonomic embodiment of the fore grip 100with legs 120 in up positions. FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of thefore grip 100 of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a rear planar view of the fore grip100 of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the fore grip 100 of FIG.6. FIG. 10 is a front planar view of the fore grip 100 of FIG. 6. FIG.11 is a right side view of the fore grip 100 of FIG. 6. FIG. 12 is a topview of the fore grip 100 of FIG. 6. FIG. 13 is a bottom view of thefore grip 100 of FIG. 6. FIG. 14 shows the fore grip 100 of FIG. 6attached to a rail 1180 of weapon 1170 with legs 120 in up positions.

Referring to FIGS. 6-14, the fore grip 100 includes two parallel legs120 retracted in an up position inside fore grip elongated handle 110,which will be described in greater detail later on. Handle 110 can be agenerally elongated cylindrical shape with opposite facing flat sidesand stacked ring grooves that give the user an ergonomic grip.

A retainer cap 130 can be screwed onto the bottom of handle 110 to holdthe inner components from completely separating out from the handle 110.The top of the handle 110 can have a molded generally rectangular headpiece 145 with a cut-out side section 148 that can reduce the weight ofthe fore grip 100 on a front side.

On top of the head piece 145 can be a fixed rail 168, and a removablerail clamp 160 with a mounting cavity space therebetween with a leftraised ridge 162 and right raised ridge allowing for the cavity space toremain fixed when the knob/nut is tightened against a threaded end of arail clamp pin 175 of the rail clamp bolt 180 that latter of which canbe counter-sunk into the side of fixed rail 168.

Referring to FIGS. 1-14, the head piece 145 further includes a frictionpin 140 holds an accessory mounting bay plug in place, and will bedescribed later in reference to FIGS. 33-36. The head piece 145 includesan actuator slide button 150 which is used to release the legs 120. Theface of the button 150B can have a serrated surface or grooved surfacethat aids the user to find and depress the button activation by feelingthe irregular surface. In addition, the button face 150B can be recessedto the outer surface of the head piece of by flush mounted in order toavoid accidental deployment of the legs 120.

Attaching the Fore Grip

FIG. 15 shows the fore grip 100 attached to a rail 1180 of weapon 1170with legs 120 fully deployed down and expanded outward after the button150 has been depressed. FIG. 16A is a cross sectional view of FIG. 15with the fore grip 100 apart from the weapon 1170. FIG. 16B is anothercross-sectional view of FIG. 15 with fore grip 100 attached to weapon1170.

Referring to FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B, a weapon 1170 such as but notlimited to an automatic or semi-automatic rifle, and the like. On thebottom of the weapon 1170 can be mounting rail 1180 that can haveinwardly inclined sides. The head piece 145 of a is fully deployed foregrip 11190 can be fit over the mounting rail 1180 underneath the weapon1170, and the clamp knob/nut 170 can be screwed so that the indentedinner walls of the moveable rail clamp moves sandwiches the weaponmounting rail 1180 against the fixed rail 168 locking the deployed foregrip 1190 to the weapon 1170. The head piece 145 and rails 1180 and railclamp can have long rectangular dimensions for added strength whenmounting the fore grip to a weapon.

As shown in FIG. 14, the fore grip can be attached to the weapon 1170without being deployed. The attachment process described above can beaccomplished while the legs 120 are in a retracted position.

Deployed Position

After the button 150 is depressed, the legs move downward from thehandle 110 and expand outward from one another as will be describedfurther on, to a fully deployed position. FIG. 17 is an upper left frontperspective view of fore grip 1190 of FIG. 6 with legs 120 down in adeployed expanded position. FIG. 18 is an upper left rear perspectiveview of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a rear planar view of FIG. 17. FIG. 20 is aleft side view of FIG. 17. FIG. 21 is a front planar view of FIG. 17.FIG. 22 is a right side view of FIG. 17. FIG. 23 is a top view of FIG.17. FIG. 24 is a bottom view of FIG. 17.

As previously described, the fore grip 100 initially has a retractedposition with the legs 120 side by side inside the handle 110. When thebutton 150 is depressed, the legs are pushed to extend downward, andfinally when the legs leave the housing, the legs then expand outwardinto a final deployed position. The inner workings of the fore grip willbe described in reference to FIGS. 24-32C.

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective exploded view of the deployed fore grip1190 of FIGS. 6-24. FIG. 26 is a front perspective exploded view of FIG.25.

FIG. 27 is an interior detail view of the leg 120 of fore grip 100/1190with stiffening bar mold 1200 insert. The mold insert 1200 can be formedfrom metal such as but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum,galvanized metal, and the like, and act as skeletal strengthening andstiffening member inside of each leg 120. Mold insert 1200 can haveopenings for keeping the insert light while still sturdy and have ashape that can mirror that of the leg 120 from the lower end 126 toupper end 122, 123. Leg 120 can be molded about the mold insert 120during manufacturing. The material that can be used can include but isnot limited to plastic and/or glass filled nylon with and without metalinserts such as aluminum, galvanized metal, stainless steel. As shown inFIG. 27 and elsewhere the legs 120 can include integral feet constructedwith a hollow backside and steel reinforcement from the metal insert1200.

FIG. 28 is a partial cross-section view of the preceding fore grip 100with legs 120 up in a retracted position.

FIG. 29A is a partial cross-section view of an upper portion of the foregrip 100 in a closed position. FIG. 29B is another view of the upperportion of FIG. 29A with button 150 being depressed.

FIG. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view of the leg/yoke assembly andlegs of the preceding fore grip being released and traveling downward.FIG. 31 is another partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 30 with leg/yokeassembly and legs 120 fully deployed.

FIG. 32A is a side cross-sectional view of the preceding fore grip 100in a retracted stage. FIG. 32B is another cross-sectional view of thefore grip 100 in an extended stage. FIG. 32C is another cross-sectionalview of the fore grip 100 in a deployed stage.

Retracted/Closed Position—Inside of Fore Grip

The operation of the fore grip 100 will now be described in theclosed/retracted position. Referring to FIGS. 6, 11, 25, 26, 28, 29A,32A, and 37, the fore grip 100 is shown at a rest position, with thedepressible button 150 positioned inside an side cavity of the headpiece 145 and can slide in limited distance by the elongated oval shapedgroove 155 in the shaft 154 of the button 150 moving relative to a fixedactuator slide pin 1150. The sides of the shaft 154 can have raised railedges 56 which slide in mateable grooved inner walls inside of the headpiece 145.

In the rest position, the inner end 152 of the button 150 is biased byan actuation compressor spring 1130 against so that an outer face end150B sits flush against the side face of the head piece 145. Theunderside of button shaft 154 can have a cut-out cavity 157 with anactuator pawl 1220 that functions as a catch for catching against a sideprotruding portion 1230 of a leg yoke pawl 1234.

The fore grip 100 is shown at a rest position, with the depressiblebutton 150 positioned inside a side cavity of the head piece 145 and canslide in limited distance by the elongated oval shaped groove 155 in theshaft 154 of the button 150 moving relative to a fixed actuator slidepin 1150. The sides of the shaft 154 can have raised rail edges 56 whichslide in mateable grooved inner walls inside of the head piece 145.

The leg yoke pawl is fixably attached to the inside base of acylindrical yoke member 1110. The bottom end 1122 of a yoke compressionspring sits against a floor surface formed between leg yoke pawl 1234and raised sides 1112 of cylindrical yoke member 1110. The upper end1128 of the yoke compression spring seats against a ceiling surface 116inside the handle 110.

Yoke guide slots 1140 along the sides of the yoke pawl 1234 allow theyoke pawl with attached legs 120 to slide straight up and straight downwithout twisting along vertical raised ridges inside of the handle 110.

Extending beneath the cylindrical leg yoke are two parallel leg tabs1117, with through-holes 1117 for allowing the leg pivot pin 1160 topass therethrough. Across the outer ends of the tabs 1117 can be astiffening brace 1118 for keeping the tabs 1117 in fixed separation fromone another. A leg torsion spring 1140 can be held in place by the legpivot pin 1160 so that the outer ends 1142, 1148 of spring 1140respectively push against upper inner surface portions 124 of legs 120.

The upper end 122 of the legs 120 each include tabs with inwardlyprotruding hollowed out rings 123. The rings 123 function to allow theleg pivot pin 1160 to pass therethrough and act as seats to support thetension spring 1140. In the closed/retracted position, the inside cavitywalls 115 of handle 110 keep the legs 120 sandwiched together againstthe biasing of torsion spring 1140 so that inside ribs 125 of the legsabut against one another, and the feet 128 are angle away from oneanother at the bottom ends 126 of each leg 120.

Depressing Button to Extending Position—Inside of Fore Grip

The operation of the fore grip 100 will now be described after thebutton 150 is depressed. Referring to FIGS. 6, 11, 25, 26, 28, 29B, 30,32B, 37 and 38, a user gripping about handle 110 can use their fingersuch as their thumb to depress button 150 by pressing against buttonface 150B. Depressing button 150B causes button shaft 154 to slideinside cavity of head piece 145 pressing against spring 1130, andpushing actuator pawl 1220 away from side protruding portion 1230 of Legyoke pawl 1234. This release of the catch causes the spring 1120 toexpand pushing leg yoke pawl 1234 and connected components to yoke 1110and legs 120 downward inside handle cavity 115 in the direction of 1270to exit from bottom open end 118 of the handle 110 of fore grip 100.

Full Deployment—Inside of Fore Grip

The operation of the fore grip 100 going to a fully deployed positionwill now be described. Referring to FIGS. 16A-26, 31, 32C, and 39, asthe legs 120 pass out the bottom open end 118 of the handle 110 of thefore grip, the leg torsion spring causes the bottom ends 126 of the legs120 to expand and pivot outward relative to pivot pin 1160. When theupper ends 122 of the legs 120 passes the open bottom 118 of the handle110, the legs 120 become fully deployed to position 1190.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 13-15, 24-36 and 30-32C, the retainer cap 130 hassides with inner threads that allows the cap to tighten to thread alongthe bottom outer walls of handle 110. Through the top of cap 130 is ahole 135 that has a diameter larger than the widths of sandwiched legs120, but smaller than the diameter of outer walls 112 of leg yoke 1110.The retainer cap 130 can function to secure the bipod legs 120 insidethe handle 110 and permits and limits the yoke 1110 and other componentsfrom falling out of the handle 110 during deployment. The yoke 1110 andlegs 120 can function as a sliding piston whose sliding action islimited by the cap cover 130.

To retract the legs 120, the user can merely squeeze the lower ends 126of legs 120 together until they are sandwiched together as shown in FIG.30. The user can then push up on feet 128 until the legs 120 move backinto the chamber 115 in the opposite direction to arrow 1270. The legs120 are pushed up until the upper inclined edge top of side protrudingportion 1230 of leg yoke pawl 1234 abuts against the like inclinedbottom edge of actuator pawl 1220 pushing button 150 slightly againstspring 1130. Upward pressure can slightly depress spring 1130 until theside protruding portion 1230 of leg yoke pawl 1234 snaps over to catchon the top of actuator pawl 1220 until the position shown in FIG. 29A isreached.

Accessory Adapters

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective enlarged upper view of the preceding foregrip 100 showing accessory mounting bay plug 105. FIG. 34 is anotherview of the upper portion of the fore grip 100 of FIG. 33 showing themounting bay plug 105 and friction pin 140 removed. The friction pin 140can have an enlarged head 142, and an elongated shaft 144 withraised/barbed edges 145. The accessory mounting bay plug 105 can besized to fit into accessory mounting bay 190 formed in side face of headpiece 145. Through-holes 195 can be on side walls to bay 190. The plug105 can be held in place inside of bay 190 by sliding the raised/barbededges 145 on shaft 144 of pin 140 into through-holes 195 and holes 109in plug tabs 107. Pulling the pin 140 by head 142 outward away from headpiece 145 can allow the plug 105 to be released from bay 190.

FIG. 35 is another view of FIG. 33 showing an accessory switch 1280 andfriction pin 140 ready to be installed. FIG. 36 is another view of FIG.35 showing the accessory switch 1280 and friction pin 140 installed. Theback of accessory switch 1280 can have a raised plug 1287 sized to fitinside of bay 190 and held in place by pin 140 in a manner similar tothat described in FIGS. 33-34. The accessory switch 1280 can have a stepshaped configuration with a lower portion 1282 having a depressiblepower switch 1283, reachable from a finger or thumb of a user grippingabout handle 110 that can turn power on and off to plug 1285 that can behooked to accessory equipment. The accessory equipment can include butis not limited to a flashlight, laser light target finder that can alsobe used with the weapon the fore grip is attached to. The novelaccessory unit plug 1280 can be modified to include a depressible switch1283 and accessory (i.e. Light, laser, and the like), such as thosemanufactured by Insight Technology Inc. of Londonberry, N.H., or CrimsonTrace Corp. of Beaverton, Oreg.

Gravity/Hand-Pull/Flip Leg Extender

FIG. 37 is an upper perspective partial cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of the fore grip 1500 with legs 120 up and no yoke spring(1120 as shown in the previous figures). FIG. 38 is another view 150 ofFIG. 37 of leg/yoke assembly 1240/legs 120 released and traveling downusing gravity only (no spring). FIG. 39 is another view of FIG. 37showing leg/yoke assembly 1240 and legs 120 fully deployed.

Referring to FIGS. 37-39, this version can use only one spring (the legtorsion spring 1140). Similar to the previous embodiment, the legs 120can initially be retracted inside handle 110. Depressing button 150releases a catch that holds yoke assembly 1240 and legs 120. The insidecavity 115 of handle 110 can be sized large and loose enough that yokeguide slots 1240 can slide along inner protruding rails 1250 so thatgravity will allow for legs 120 to drop out from underneath handle 110,and then easily expand outward by the tension spring.

Alternatively, the user presses button 150, and easily pulls feet 128 oflegs 120 downward in direction of arrow 1270, until the tension spring1140 causes the legs 120 to expand outward.

Still furthermore, this version can function similar to a switch bladeknife, where the user grips handle 110 and depresses button 150 and thenjerks and/or flips (by inertial actuation) the handle downward allowingfor an inertial actuation of the legs 120 falling out of the handle 110,and then expanding outward by the single spring 1140.

The legs 120 can be retracted back into handle 110 in a manner similarto that previously described.

FIG. 40 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the fore grip withextendable legs 1290. Each of the legs can have telescoping portionswith feet similar to the previous embodiments. The upper end cantelescope in and out of a fixed stub portion having a hollow middle in amanner similar to that on a camera tripod stand. The user can slide eachleg to the same heights or different heights as terrain and weaponsurface placement conditions demand.

FIG. 41 is a rear view of the preceding deployed fore grip 100 withdimensions. FIG. 42 is a left side view of the deployed fore grip 100 ofFIG. 41 with dimensions. FIG. 43 is a rear view of the precedingretracted fore grip 100 with dimensions. A preferred embodiment can havethe head piece 145 having a length of approximately 1.85 inches a widthof approximately 1.29 inches and a height of approximately 1.15 inches.In a fully leg retracted/closed position, the fore grip can have aheight of approximately 6.32 inches. The handle portion 110 can have alength of approximately 2.95 inches and a width of approximately 1.37inches. The legs can have a width of approximately 0.73 inches alongwith the feet having a width of approximately 0.99 inches. In a fullydeployed/expanded position, the fore grip can have an overall height ofapproximately 8.57 inches, with the legs 120 having a spread eagle angletherebetween of approximately 76 degrees, and the inside angle of thefeet 128 to the rest of the legs being approximately 52 degrees. Thefeet can be spread apart from toe to toe at approximately 6.95 inches.

Although, the preferred embodiment lists specific dimensions, theinvention can be practiced with different sized and shaped components.

The fore grip can be made from various components such as but notlimited to polymeric materials, such as but not limited to plasticand/or glass filled nylon with and without metal inserts such asaluminum, galvanized metal, stainless steel, and the like Additionally,the fore grip can include void spaces where possible to decrease weight.

Although a depressible button is shown above, the invention can useother types of activation such as but not limited to toggle switches,pressure actuated switches, temperature actuated switches and the like,to release the inside legs to slide down and expand outward from beneaththe housing.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it haspresumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such othermodifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings hereinare particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth andscope of the claims here appended.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A handgrip apparatus for a firearm, comprising: ahollow housing having a longitudinal axis and defining a handgripsurface and forming an enclosure; a fastener connected to the housingfor removably attaching the handgrip apparatus to a fore-end portion ofa firearm; and a retractable leg assembly movable between a retractedposition and an extended position, said leg assembly including a pair ofpivoting legs received within said hollow housing when the leg assemblyis in the retracted position and usable as a bipod support when the legassembly is in the extended position.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21,further comprising: a latch for releasably securing the leg assembly inthe retracted position; a depressible latch release actuator to allowsaid leg assembly to be moved to the extended position; and a spring insaid housing for urging said leg assembly to said extended position whensaid latch release actuator is depressed.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22,wherein said latch release actuator is located on an upper portion ofthe handgrip surface.
 24. A handgrip bipod apparatus for firearms,comprising: a hollow housing having a longitudinal axis and defining ahandgrip surface and forming an enclosure; a fastener connected to thehousing for removably attaching the handgrip bipod apparatus to a bottomportion of a firearm; a retractable bipod movable between a retractedposition and an extended position, said bipod including a pair ofpivoting legs received within said hollow housing when the leg assemblyis in the retracted position and usable as a bipod support when the legassembly is in the extended position.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24,further comprising: a latch for releasably securing the leg assembly inthe retracted position; a depressible latch release actuator to allowsaid retractable bipod to be moved to the extended position; and aspring in said housing for urging said retractable bipod to saidextended position when said latch release actuator is depressed.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 25, wherein said latch release actuator is located onan upper portion of the handgrip surface.
 27. A retractable bipod for afirearm, comprising: a hollow housing with a longitudinal axis andhaving an exterior handgrip surface; a fastener connected to the housingfor removably attaching the retractable bipod to a lower portion of afirearm; a pair of pivoting legs movable between a retracted positionand an extended position, said retracted position being within saidhollow housing and said pivoting legs usable as a bipod support when thepivoting legs are in the extended position.
 28. The retractable bipod ofclaim 27, further comprising: a latch for releasably securing the pairof pivoting legs in the retracted position; a depressible latch releaseactuator to allow said pivoting legs to be moved to the extendedposition; and a spring in said housing for urging said pivoting legs tosaid extended position when said latch release actuator is depressed.29. The retractable bipod of claim 28, wherein said latch releaseactuator is located on an upper portion of the handgrip surface.